Dear JTA Families,
Just a quick reminder that our Snack Cart will be available tomorrow! Students are welcome to bring a couple of extra dollars if they’d like to purchase a treat. All proceeds from the Snack Cart will go toward our Christmas shopping trip, which helps support students in need during the holiday season.
Also, please remember to return the Impact Aid forms tomorrow. These were sent home with students last week and are important for our school’s funding and support services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Just a quick reminder that our Snack Cart will be available tomorrow! Students are welcome to bring a couple of extra dollars if they’d like to purchase a treat. All proceeds from the Snack Cart will go toward our Christmas shopping trip, which helps support students in need during the holiday season.
Also, please remember to return the Impact Aid forms tomorrow. These were sent home with students last week and are important for our school’s funding and support services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL next week (October 6 - October 10, 2025) because of Fall Break. School IS IN SESSION on Friday, October 3, 2025!
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13, 2025. That is a Professional Learning Day for HCS staff.
Students will return to school after Fall Break and the PLD on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13, 2025. That is a Professional Learning Day for HCS staff.
Students will return to school after Fall Break and the PLD on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Hello again … This is Danielle Cassady … principal of James T. Alton Middle School.
We contacted you this morning, notifying you that we were in soft lockdown in our building. We took this measure after receiving word from our law enforcement partners that an unknown person was walking around our community with a weapon.
Law enforcement officers tell us that they have found this person and that there is no longer a danger. We will be returning to normal operations. While in a soft lockdown, we proceeded with our instructional day, but no one was allowed to enter or exit the building.
We appreciate our friends with the Vine Grove Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, who work hard to ensure safety for our students and staff.
Thank you again for your cooperation, support, and dedication to your child’s success!
We contacted you this morning, notifying you that we were in soft lockdown in our building. We took this measure after receiving word from our law enforcement partners that an unknown person was walking around our community with a weapon.
Law enforcement officers tell us that they have found this person and that there is no longer a danger. We will be returning to normal operations. While in a soft lockdown, we proceeded with our instructional day, but no one was allowed to enter or exit the building.
We appreciate our friends with the Vine Grove Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, who work hard to ensure safety for our students and staff.
Thank you again for your cooperation, support, and dedication to your child’s success!
Good morning ….
This is Danielle Cassady School principal at James T. Alton.
We have been notified by law enforcement that a person is walking around our community with a weapon. Law enforcement is actively pursuing this person. We are currently in a soft lockdown situation. That means the instructional process continues, and no one enters or exits the building.
Please do not come to our building. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until we receive word from our law enforcement agencies that the lockdown can be lifted.
We appreciate your support and cooperation. We will contact you again when this situation has been resolved.
This is Danielle Cassady School principal at James T. Alton.
We have been notified by law enforcement that a person is walking around our community with a weapon. Law enforcement is actively pursuing this person. We are currently in a soft lockdown situation. That means the instructional process continues, and no one enters or exits the building.
Please do not come to our building. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until we receive word from our law enforcement agencies that the lockdown can be lifted.
We appreciate your support and cooperation. We will contact you again when this situation has been resolved.
Good evening JTA Families,
This week's Parent Update Newsletter is now live—but before you scroll, we need your help with something critical.
If you haven’t completed the CEP form for free and reduced lunch, please do so immediately. These forms directly impact our ability to provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL students, and they determine vital funding and scholarship opportunities for our school.
We’re on a tight timeline, and every single form counts. If you’ve already submitted yours—thank you! If not, please take just a few minutes tonight to fill it out. Your action helps support every student at JTA.
Let’s get this done—together.
Dear JTA Families,
Important paperwork alert! Today, your child brought home the Impact Aid form, which helps our school receive valuable federal funding to support student programs and resources. These forms are quick to complete and make a big difference for our school community.
To sweeten the deal, we’re offering a special incentive: Students who return their completed Impact Aid form by this Friday, Sept. 26 will receive $10 in Trojan Bucks!
Trojan Bucks can be used for school rewards and incentives, and your child will be thrilled to earn them just by turning in this one form.
If you’ve already submitted it—thank you! If not, please send it in with your child or drop it off in the front office by next Friday.
We appreciate your support and partnership in helping our school thrive!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, James T. Alton Middle School
Important paperwork alert! Today, your child brought home the Impact Aid form, which helps our school receive valuable federal funding to support student programs and resources. These forms are quick to complete and make a big difference for our school community.
To sweeten the deal, we’re offering a special incentive: Students who return their completed Impact Aid form by this Friday, Sept. 26 will receive $10 in Trojan Bucks!
Trojan Bucks can be used for school rewards and incentives, and your child will be thrilled to earn them just by turning in this one form.
If you’ve already submitted it—thank you! If not, please send it in with your child or drop it off in the front office by next Friday.
We appreciate your support and partnership in helping our school thrive!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, James T. Alton Middle School
The Hardin County Schools Calendar Committee seeks your feedback on the formation of the 2026-27 school year calendar.
Please take a survey to share your thoughts. Go to https://forms.gle/jXLCWG2yKVXM2tvG8 to complete the survey. The link can also be found on the HCS website under Quick Links.
Please take a survey to share your thoughts. Go to https://forms.gle/jXLCWG2yKVXM2tvG8 to complete the survey. The link can also be found on the HCS website under Quick Links.
We’re proud of our students, grateful for our families, and energized by the momentum we’re building together. Let’s keep the positivity flowing! Here's a peek at all of the great things happening at JTA. Weekly Parent Update Newsletter
💙 #AltonStrong #MiddleSchoolMagic #CommunityInAction
We had another great week at JTA. Here is this week's Parent Update.
ATTENTION PARENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY!!!
HCS needs your help! This week is Safe Schools Week across Kentucky! Our friends at the Kentucky Center for School Safety are asking students, parents, staff and community members to pledge to keep our students safe.
HCS is currently ranked 6th in the state in the number of pledges received! You can help us move up the list and win the challenge!!!
Please click this link to take an approximately 20-second pledge to keep our students safe while at school: https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/safety-week-pledge/
One more announcement: JTA Archery will host an open gym after school in the cafeteria on September 11th for any Trojan interested in trying out this year for the Archery Team. Students must have an up to date sports physical on file (Healthy Roster or in hand at the open gym). It will begin directly after school from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Hello JTA Families!
We’re excited to share this week’s Parent Update newsletter—it’s packed with great info and fun happenings!
Mark Your Calendars: High Attendance Day is coming up on September 9! We’ve got some awesome activities planned, and we want every student to be part of the excitement. From outdoor fun to special surprises, it’s going to be a day to remember! Be sure your child comes prepared with sunscreen and a water bottle so they can enjoy every moment.
House Color Spirit Day – Tuesday! Let’s show off that house pride! All students are encouraged to wear their house colors:
Slay Squad: Purple
Flexers: Blue
The Drip: Green
No Cap Crew: Red
Not sure which house your child is in? No worries! It’s listed on their schedule in Infinite Campus under their WIN period, and we’ll also have posters up in the hallways on Monday to help everyone find their crew.
Portrait of a Learner Focus: Be a Personal Champion. This month, we’re celebrating what it means to be a Personal Champion—someone who sets goals, perseveres, and lifts others up. Click the link to learn more about how we’re inspiring students to be their best selves.
Thanks for being such a vital part of our JTA community. Let’s make it a fantastic week!
Tuesday is HIGH ATTENDANCE DAY across the Commonwealth!
We encourage our students to attend school every day, but especially on Tuesday, September 9, 2025! Bragging rights are on the line in our district-wide competition!!! Great attendance that day helps HCS as we compete with other districts in Kentucky.
#HCSDifferenceMaker #DistrictOfOpportunities
We encourage our students to attend school every day, but especially on Tuesday, September 9, 2025! Bragging rights are on the line in our district-wide competition!!! Great attendance that day helps HCS as we compete with other districts in Kentucky.
#HCSDifferenceMaker #DistrictOfOpportunities
If you received a message from us about tardies, we apologize. That was not meant to go out to everyone.
Correction: Thursday's ballgame against East Hardin Middle School is a girls basketball game, not a football game. It will still be played at home.
September is off to a spirited start, and we are building momentum, celebrating each other, and keeping the joy alive at JT Alton. Don't miss the Parent Update in your inbox.
#JTAPride #CelebrateTheGood #MiddleSchoolMagic
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 1, 2025!
We're kicking off the year with our first school dance, and the energy is high! All students will be dismissed promptly at 5:00 PM, so please plan to arrive on time.
Pick-Up Procedures: We’ll have two pick-up lines to help things run smoothly:
Main Drop-Off Line – If you're familiar with the morning drop-off routine, this will follow the same pattern. Just pull in as you normally would.
Bus Parking Lot Line – This line will begin at the front doors and continue through the entrance to the bus parking lot.
Not sure where to go? No worries—we’ll be outside directing traffic to make sure everything flows safely and efficiently.
A quick heads-up: We do not recommend parking in the lot unless you're in the pick-up line. Once parked outside the flow, it may be difficult to exit.
Thanks for helping us wrap up a great event with a smooth dismissal!
Pick-Up Procedures: We’ll have two pick-up lines to help things run smoothly:
Main Drop-Off Line – If you're familiar with the morning drop-off routine, this will follow the same pattern. Just pull in as you normally would.
Bus Parking Lot Line – This line will begin at the front doors and continue through the entrance to the bus parking lot.
Not sure where to go? No worries—we’ll be outside directing traffic to make sure everything flows safely and efficiently.
A quick heads-up: We do not recommend parking in the lot unless you're in the pick-up line. Once parked outside the flow, it may be difficult to exit.
Thanks for helping us wrap up a great event with a smooth dismissal!
Good evening, JTA Families!
We’re excited to let you know that our Back-to-School Dance is happening this Friday from 3:00–5:00 PM. Tickets are $5 and will be sold during lunch on Friday. The concession stand will be open if students would like to buy snacks.
Important Reminder: Please avoid picking up your child early from the dance. Student belongings will be stored in their grade-level hallway, and staff won’t be able to leave our posts to help students retrieve their items early.
We’d also love your input! Our Site-Based Decision Making Council is working on our school improvement plan, and your feedback is incredibly valuable. If you have a few minutes, please take our short survey—it only takes about 5–7 minutes to complete.
Thank you for your continued support!
You're Invited: Trojan Family Forum!
Join Principal Cassady this Monday at 9:30 AM in the school library for our very first Trojan Family Forum—a casual, uplifting conversation to celebrate the good things happening at James T. Alton and give families a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and connect.
Space is limited—we’re planning for around 20 guests, so please RSVP to help us prepare: RSVP Link
Whether you’re bursting with questions or just want to soak in the good vibes, we’d love to see you there!
#TrojanFamilyForum #JTACommunity #CelebrateTogether